Leaders in Business 2013

Posted on Monday 21 January 2013 byUlster Business

It is clear that strong leadership will be needed in both the public and private sectors this year to get the Northern Ireland economy moving again.

Unemployment figures remain high, too few of our private sector businesses are exporting, there are skills gaps in our workforce and, of course, we have trouble on the streets linked to the flags issue which is hurting trade.

Against this backdrop those in prominent political and business roles are having to show their mettle and demonstrate that they have what it takes to bring this region through the turbulence towards growth and prosperity.

Below we profile ten people who are leaders in different areas of the Northern Ireland business community. They hail from sectors as diverse as banking, creative industries, government, social enterprise, business consulting, technology, sport and economics.

Though the nature of their roles is different, many of the goals and aspirations they have for their organisations – and their hopes for the Northern Ireland economy in general – are similar.

We're not saying these people are the most important or influential in Northern Ireland's business community. Rather they are people who have achieved something within the business world over the past year, who have taken up a key new position, embarked on a new venture, driven their companies to new levels of achievement or are set to be involved in something big in 2013 and beyond.

What we hope you will find is an insight into how some of those who have been successful have managed it and renewed hope that there are some good news stories still out there in Northern Ireland.